Library of Congress When the Civil War began there were just 16,000 men in the United States Army. The war created a need for more soldiers. By the end of the war at least 4 million men had served in the military. These men were eagerly recruited and initially all volunteers. Volunteers went through a physical examination. Though, due to the need for new recruits, many men entered the army who were either under-age or physically unfit for duty.Crowded conditions in camp, improper diet, inadequate clothing, poor sanitation, and poor hygiene caused many of these men to get sick. Of the nearly 700,000 soldiers who died in the Civil War, nearly two thirds or 467,000 died from sickness and disease. Some of the most deadly diseases were: typhoid fever, typhus, diarrhea/dysentery, pneumonia, and measles. The relationship between cleanliness and disease was well known to the Civil War surgeon but there was no knowledge of microbes’ effects on the body. Antiseptics were not used. Sterile bandages and instruments were unknown. Once infection was set in motion there were no antibiotics to treat it with. Antibiotics were not discovered and used until the 1930s so infections and resulting fevers were extremely difficult to cure. The doctors in camp held a sick call every morning, to which the soldiers who felt they were too sick to perform their duties would report. The Civil War surgeon would do the best he could for the men with the knowledge, tools, and medicine he possessed. Often his knowledge and medicines were woefully inadequate. Many of his medicines contained purgatives and some contained mercury that did more harm than good. Should a purgative further clean out a man dehydrated from severe diarrhea? Doctors joined the army as surgeons for reasons that might include patriotism, better pay, less risk of death, opportunity for a wide variety of medical experiences, etc. However, it is doubtful they anticipated treating so many sick men. The large variety of surgical experiences with wounded men undoubtedly attracted many doctors to the army. TREATMENT OF THE WOUNDED SOLDIER Medical training of most Civil War doctors consisted of two years of lectures. Often the students were not permitted to work on patients, unless they served as an apprentice with another doctor. The medical department of the United States Army was in disarray at the beginning of the war. It lacked doctors, ambulances, stretcher-bearers, nurses, and organization. This was improved upon through the efforts of Dr. Jonathan Letterman, the Medical Director of the Army of the Potomac. Some of his improvements consisted of:
The system would work like this: -When the battle started, an advance aid station would be set up just outside of musket range (about 500 yards beyond the fighting). -Triage was performed: mortal wounds set aside; slightly wounded waited; serious wounds with a chance for recovery were worked on as soon as possible. -Bleeding checked, bandage applied, whiskey administered to counteract shock, and opium pills given for pain. -Transported to a field hospital, usually by horse-drawn ambulance 
Library of Congress A field hospital was located about two miles from the front lines, out of range of most artillery. It was often hastily put togather, near or in a barn, church, or other large building. Hay and straw was often placed for bedding and a door for an operating table. The average surgeon at a field hospital had available to him:
SURGERY AT THE FIELD HOSPITAL Almost all wounds to the arms and legs, that involved bones shattered by musketry or artillery, resulted in an amputation. Approximately 75% of soldiers survived an amputation of a limb. This surgery usually took from 7 to 15 minutes to perform. Once the surgery was completed, the soldier was awakened and morphine was administered for the pain. The soldier would then be transferred, when he was able to a general hospital to complete his recuperation. Transportation to a general hospital was often by train in a specially fitted hospital car. It was still possible that he might suffer from gangrene or some other type of infection. ADVANCES IN MEDICINE The following are some of the advances in medicine to which the Civil War contributed:
CONCLUSION The Civil War took over 700,000 American lives. The Civil War surgeon Tried thier best to save as many soldiers as possible. The death toll would have been much higher if they had not been around. 
Library of Congress PRESENTATION SUGGESTIONSStudents at this station will have an opportunity to view and handle photographs, books, medical supplies, and a few instruments. The teacher should organize Table 5 by setting up any medical supplies and books included in the trunk, as well as the activity cards and sheets. The activity cards include ones that describe a particular sickness or disease and suggestions for what the sickness might be. The correct sickness and treatment will be detailed on the back of the card. The teacher may want the students to role play the symptoms and have other students attempt the diagnosis. They could then turn the card over and read the correct diagnosis and treatment. There be a second set of laminated cards describing different battle wounds. For this activity, the students should work as a team of doctors. They read each of the six battle wound cards and separate them into 3 categories (TRIAGE). The categories are: -slightly wounded – the soldier will have to wait for treatment -mortally wounded – the soldier has little or no chance of survival(most mortally wounded soldiers were the last to be treated); -seriously wounded – there is a chance for recovery if he is treated quickly. Once the students have separated the cards into the 3 categories, they should check with the person in charge of Table 5 to determine if their selections were correct. If the students question the order of treatment, have them understand that the technology during the Civil War was very limited. In our modern era, severe wounds to the trunk and head of the body can often be treated successfully. OBJECTIVE Students will be better able to understand the pain and suffering associated with war. Students will come to appreciate how modern medical technology has improved since the Civil War. VOCABULARY Infection, triage, antiseptic, microbe, anesthesia, amputation MEDICAL MATERIALS FROM THE CIVIL WAR TRUNK include:
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Last updated: September 22, 2025